According to the country’s Interior minister, Arsen Avakov, both
men were suspected of extorting bribes from fuel suppliers.

“This was not a show, this was not theatre. We decided it
was necessary to do it this way, during the cabinet meeting, as inoculation, as
a preventative measure against corrupt officials, of whom we unfortunately have
many,” he said. He also stressed that their offices were also being raided
as part of investigations.